Make sure to check out my review below and enter for a chance to win a Paperback of Giving In!

Book #2 in the Surrender Trilogy

Kylie sees the way Jensen looks at her. The dark promise in his eyes. That rough edge of dominance she knows he possesses. But dominance is the one thing that frightens her above all else. She and her brother barely survived a childhood steeped in violence and abuse. She could never give up total control and submit to a man. Especially a man like Jensen. Could she?Jensen sees the shadows in Kylie’s eyes. Knows he has to tread very carefully or risk losing any chance he has with her. All he wants is the opportunity to show her that dominance doesn’t equal pain, bondage or discipline. That emotional surrender is the most powerful of all, and that to submit—fully to him—will fulfill the aching void in her heart in a way nothing else ever will.

4.5 stars for me

I really enjoyed this book – I think better than the first. It turned out to be something totally different than I expected – I did not know how Maya was going to pull it off as believable with the background and personalities of the characters we got a look at in book 1 – but she did it!In Book 1, we learned about some of Kylie’s troubled past (she was physically and sexually abused by her father). We meet Jensen in the first book coming on as partner (and Kylie’s new boss) at the firm where Kylie works. Jensen has a very dominant personality both in his mannerisms and in the bedroom from what we are led to believe. With Kylie’s background, I really did not think that Maya could realistically make Kylie want to be with a man like Jensen…. you would likely believe that she would run for the hills, BUT Maya showed us that not all dominant type men follow with typical stereotype. Jensen could actually be exactly what Kylie needs in her life and I think you just have to read it to see why I would think that.While a lot of Maya’s books start off with a bang in the sex department (and has lots of it throughout her books), this series is a little different as you have to wait a bit for the big moments…. because it really should not happen in any other way. However, you do not miss out on the sexual attraction and the sparks flying while waiting for the moment to finally happen. Personally, I kind of like the build up.Again, Maya Banks has delivered what her readers crave in this second book in this trilogy. If you have not picked up one of Maya’s books yet, this may be a series to start with.

Book #1 in the Surrender Trilogy

Josslyn found perfection once, and she knows she’ll never find it again. Now widowed, she seeks the one thing her beloved husband couldn’t give her. Dominance. Lonely and searching for an outlet for her grief and wanting only a brief taste of the perfection she once enjoyed, she seeks what she’s looking for at an exclusive club that caters to people indulging in their most hedonistic fantasies. She never imagined that what she’d find is the one man who’s long been a source of comfort—and secret longing. Her husband’s best friend.Dash has lived in an untenable position for years. In love with his best friend’s wife and unwilling to act on that attraction. He’d never betray his best friend. And so he’s waited in the wings, offering Joss unconditional support and comfort as she works past her grief, hoping for the day when he can offer her more. When he finds her in a club devoted to the darker edges of desire, he’s furious because he thinks she has no idea what she’s getting herself into. Until she explains in detail what it is she wants. What she needs. As realization sets in, he is gripped by fierce, unwavering determination. If she wants dominance, he is the only man who will introduce her to that world. He is the only man who will touch her, cherish her…love her. And the only man she’ll ever submit to.I want to start off by saying that so far this is my favorite Maya Banks’ read. So far, I have unfortunately only read The Breathless Trilogy, as I have found Maya this past year. While I am not into the whole dominant/submissive relationship – especially the 24/7 one, I really did enjoy this book. I think mostly because of two main reasons. First, I really enjoyed the character development in this story and it was about ½ way through the book before you get to the major steam (that Maya can always deliver on). Second, I have said this before, but I have no problem with an alpha male in my books; however, I like that alpha to be somewhat swoony… not a jerk… and to be a likeable character. Dash’s love for Joss certainly had me liking him. I am sure some will think that the personality of Dash and the way that he treats Joss – would not happen in a dominant/submissive relationship, but this is fiction and I would like to believe that they could have the best of both of those worlds and that that “alpha” certainly could be that way.Another think I am sure some people may have a problem with is the fact that Dash was Joss’ deceased husband’s best friend. I really think that Maya did a great job of showing how and why this could happen. I totally could believe that you could be in love with your best friend’s wife… hello, how many movies have we seen that this is the case.Since this is the first book in the series, Maya has introduced us to a few other characters that you know we will see more of in the next books. Next up, will be Kylie (Joss’ friend/sister-in-law) and Jensen (Dash’s business partner and one of Kylie’s bosses). With the backstory we get about Kylie in Letting Go, I am wondering how Maya will pull off the kind of relationship I am sure that Jensen would want from Kylie… and so I wait to find out.So, if you are looking for a new steamy book series, especially where each book won’t keep you hanging with a cliff-hanger, give Letting Go a chance – this could be the one for you! I would love to hear your thoughts.

Available for Pre-Order now

(taken from Maya’s website)My name is Maya Banks and I live in Texas with my husband and three children and our assortment of pets. I’m more of a cat person, but my daughter became convinced she NEEDED a dog. So convinced in fact that it became her mission to convince her father and me. She prepared a two page handwritten proposal that detailed WHY she needed a dog, and well, after I sent her to her father (I knew he wouldn’t tell her no) we embarked on the search for the perfect dog. The journey that was two hours away and that I got pulled over for speeding while I was on the phone with my agent who had an offer from a publisher for one of my books… The officer wasn’t impressed. He wrote me a ticket anyway. Thus, I now tell my daughter that her dog turned into one very expensive concession! But isn’t he cute?

When I’m not writing, I love to hunt and fish with my family. We all love the outdoors and go on family hunting trips every year. We also love to travel. One of our more recent trips was to Scotland, which was every bit as comical as National Lampoon’s European Vacation. You know the part about “Look kids, Big Ben, Parliament” as they went round and round the roundabouts? Yeah, that was us, only we couldn’t even get out of the airport in Glasgow without hitting three of those suckers.Perhaps the most rewarding aspect of a writing career is getting to meet so many wonderful readers. There’s nothing better than dishing books with someone who loves the romance genre as much as I do. Romance readers are passionate and vocal. We love our books, love our happily ever afters, and we love to spend time talking to others about our favorites. THIS is why I love my job so much, and I’m so grateful to readers who gave ME a chance when I began my career. So thank you.Love,